Disclaimer: All canon characters, plots and situations from the Harry Potter series belong to JK Rowling. I make no profit from this story.

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Triggers: language, smut, major character death, torture, war

It Ends Tonight

Part Ten

"... When darkness turns to light

it ends tonight …"

March 1997

"No."

Hermione's voice was strong, even as the tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. Draco averted his gaze, unable to face the caramel globes pleading with his heart.

"Draco, please," she cried, hand outstretched towards his as he stepped just out of reach.

He turned away, moving in front of the fireplace that had materialized in the Come-And-Go Room to keep the cold March chill at bay.

Staring into the flames, his heart ached, burned. He needed her, all of her. But her safety was the most important thing and damn it, there's no other way!

"We can't do this. Not anymore," he sighed, running his hands through his hair. "If he finds out, he'll kill you."

"I don't care!" she screamed, and the sound stomped his already broken heart.

"I've kissed your scars, I know your crime." Draco heard her move behind him, and he was suspended, mind soaring. He knew his resolve was crumbling under the words, yet he stepped away again.

"You don't," he whispered, tears spilling down pale cheeks. "Just trust me, Hermione," he pleaded desperately.

"I need you too badly, I'm in too deep." Her voice was low, and there wasn't a single accusation there. "I can't leave. You won't push me away."

He was crashing, as he knew would, because he was a fool - only for you - and it was no use, he'd lost control of the flight and he caved, craved to have her. All of her

xxx

Her mouth was on his in an instant, and she could taste the tears he pretended didn't fall.

If she hadn't believed in Divination before, she certainly did now because Draco was a Dragon, her dragon, written in the stars.

She thanked those stars that they were entwined. The fire was warm against the expanse of her bared flesh, his fingerprints covering her skin and leaving goosebumps in their wake.

"You're sure?" he whispered in the quiet of the room, and she nodded - please - because she needed him, too.

She writhed, whimpered, screamed his name over and over again, engraving her voice into the depths of his mind.

Where she was once starving, she was now quenched. I thirst for you, she thought, I taste the light that is you. And she'd drink from his soul more than once, in that secret room. Their refugee.

They stayed that night, tangled limbs and desperate hearts. Amber eyes against steel, fluttering lids that fought to stay awake.

Watching you watching me, a fine way to fall asleep.

"I can't take my eyes off of you," she whispered into the dark some time later.

Draco's breathing was even, but she knew he was present, awake. "If we fall," he began.

"When," she amended with hopeless finality.

"When we fall…" He cupped her cheek, running the pad of his thumb across her lower lip. "We fall together."